The first half opened at a frenetic pace, one the Pittsburgh Riverhounds are not typically accustomed to, with play surging up and down the pitch. Both sides earned corner kicks in the 5th minute, though each was calmly dealt with by their respective defenses.
In the 12th minute, Luke Biasi (Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC) was shown a yellow card for a reckless foul. The match was briefly paused due to an injury sustained by Joseph Farrell (Hartford Athletic), requiring medical attention.
Charles Ahl (Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC) continued to be active in the attacking third, drawing a free kick in a central area before earning another on the right wing in the 28th minute, following a foul by Emmanuel Samadia (Hartford Athletic).
The Riverhounds nearly found the breakthrough in the 29th minute when Beto Ydrach’s header from the center of the box was expertly saved in the bottom right corner by Hartford GK Antony Siaha, after a well-placed cross from Robbie Mertz.
Three minutes later, Danny Griffin had a chance to put the Hounds ahead, but his right-footed effort from the center of the box sailed just over the bar. Augustine Williams provided the service with a driven cross into the area.
Despite controlling possession and dictating the tempo throughout the half, Pittsburgh was unable to convert their chances. In the 43rd minute, Beverly Makangila (Hartford Athletic) was booked for a poor challenge, and in stoppage time (45+2), Emmanuel Samadia won a free kick deep in Hartford’s defensive half. The Riverhounds entered the break scoreless, despite a dominant first-half performance.
The second half began with immediate tactical adjustments from both sides. Hartford Athletic introduced Junior Moreira in place of Beverly Makangila, while the Riverhounds brought on Perrin Barnes to replace Luke Biasi. In the 60th minute, Hartford made a second change, with Jonathan Jiménez entering for Kyle Edwards.
Hartford threatened early in the half, as Michee Ngalina fired a right-footed shot from outside the box in the 53rd minute, narrowly missing to the right. The chance was set up by Edwards before his substitution. Tensions flared in the 58th minute following a brief scuffle between players. M Robbie Mertz and GK Antony Siaha (Hartford Athletic) were both shown yellow cards for their involvement.
The Riverhounds continued to press in the second half, with Robbie Mertz nearly finding the opener in the 68th minute. His right-footed effort from the right side of the box was blocked, following a well-placed assist from Charles Ahl. In the 78th minute, Riverhounds made a strategic substitution, bringing on Jackson Wälti in place of Ahl. Hartford responded two minutes later, with Owen Presthus replacing Adrián Diz. Hartford threatened late in the half, as Samuel Careaga rose for a header in the 86th minute, only to be denied by Riverhounds GK Eric Dick, who held firm at the center of the goal. The chance was created by Emmanuel Samadia’s precise cross.
In the 88th minute, Riverhounds was forced into a defensive change due to injury, with Illal Osumanu coming on to replace Guillaume Vacter. With 9 minutes of stoppage time both teams were pressing for the equalizer, to avoid extra time and possibly PK’s, to no avail the match ends and heads to extra time. The first 15 minute of extra time began with a Substitution, Riverhounds F Bertin Jacquesson replaces M Bradley Sample. The hounds pressed with a free kick and back to back corners that failed to produce a goal. The remainder of the first extra time resulted in no goals. In the second extra time both teams looked to slow the pace down and posses the ball.
Junior Etou won a free kick in the attacking half, Josh Belluz Hartford is shown the yellow card for the foul. Both teams remained in their shells and the game is headed to penalty kicks. In an electric PK shootout the Riverhounds prevailed 4-2 and thanks to an upset in Louisville, host Detroit on Saturday November 8th at Highmark Stadium.
